Hey everyone,

I don't post too often here but I figured I'd give it a try. I have an upcoming co-op placement and I've jumping through the hoops of our university's/department' co-op office. However, I was able to find a job on my own recently through a family/friend connection. While I haven't been extended a formal job offer yet, from talking to the principle of the firm the sound of it is that it will happen.

Here's the catch: it is not an "architecture" job parce. The firm is a well-respected developer that does eco-friendly, green, sustainable projects; the position I would be receiving is the assistant to the project manager. He was clear that the architectural design work would be contracted out to an architecture firm, however in the principle's own words, he commented that it would definately be meaningful work towards the project. He also did feel it was applicable to my education and my co-op office has ok'd the placement as a legitimate work term position.

I'm curious what people think of this for an architecture co-op? Mainly I'm concerned with whether I will actually learn much about architectural practice/design; this being my final co-op placement before going into the 4B term of my undergraduate degree, I'm looking to learn skills that I can bring into my final term of studies (which is obviously going to be the hardest one of the 4 years). I plan on applying to schools in the Northeast US and parts of Canada at the end of my undergrad to pursue a 2-year M.Arch.

I guess ultimately what I'm wondering is if this job will be truly beneficial to my architectural education, or if I should pass it up to continue looking for a job in a true architecture firm? Thoughts and comments are greatly welcome and appreciated. Finally, I'm not sure if it really makes a difference, but the project is an (approx.) 21-story condo development in a downtown core.